The governor today vetoed eight bills that Democrats had sent him over the last week, totaling about $325 million, including an increase in the earned income tax credit for the working poor and a measure to supplement civil legal services for the indigent.

Christie said that while he supported the concept of increasing the earned income tax credit, which he cut by $45 million in 2010, he would only raise the financing as part of a larger tax cut.

"I remain committed to providing real and immediate relief to all New Jerseyans, and will sign this restoration if presented as part of a broad-based, bipartisan tax relief plan," he said in his veto message.

Christie did not comment specifically on any of the other measures, instead repeating the message that passing them separately from the budget was "little more than a thinly veiled attempt to circumvent the tough choices."

"Simply wishing for more money to pay the bills is a reckless, childish, guaranteed path towards financial disaster," he said.

But Democrats characterized the cuts as mean-spirited, saying the governor showed he didn’t care about the plight of poor people.

"It’s disappointing, but not surprising, that the governor would veto legislation that would have put a few extra hundred dollars in the pockets of poor working families," Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver (D-Essex) said. "Sadly ... they don’t earn enough for the governor to care."

Democrats said Christie had only planned to restore the credit over two years, while theirs would have done so immediately. They were also disappointed that he vetoed a bill raising court fees to finance civil legal services for the poor and an electronic court filing system.

Assemblyman Peter Barnes III (D-Middlesex) said 200,000 New Jersey residents sought legal help through the program each year, and that two-thirds are turned away because of inadequate resources.

"Thanks to the governor’s veto, many of these residents will now have to fend for themselves in a judicial system that can be convoluted and intimidating," Barnes said. "This is not justice for all."

• Allowed towns to use accumulated funds to purchase foreclosed homes and convert them into affordable housing

• Given towns two more years to spend affordable housing funds they are poised to turn over to the state

• Restored energy tax receipts to municipalities.

• Restored $7.5 million for women’s health clinics.

• Appropriated $10 million to fix flooding issues with a bridge in Garfield

• Required towns with urban enterprise zones to submit economic growth plans with the Department of Community Affairs

Democrats control the state Senate and Assembly, but neither chamber has do the two-thirds majority necessary to override a Christie veto, and a spokesman for Assembly Democrats said they had not decided whether to try.

• Provided a long-term repairs for the flooding caused by the Marcellus Street Bridge in Garfield.

A number of bills did meet Christie’s approval, however, including:

• Making the state wait five years rather than two to claim the balance of unused gift cards.

• Reorganizing the Departments of Health and Senior Services and Children and Families.

• Increasing the borrowing limit for the Transportation Trust Fund by $260 million.